House Bill 1163, named in memory of Amber Schinault, will enable victims of domestic violence to request a judge to implement a GPS tracking device in addition to a restraining order to actively monitor offenders. The device would be paid for by the offender.

Stay-away technology will alert the victim via their cellphone app if an offender breaches a safe zone, allowing the victim enough time to escape, while at the same time, giving authorities lead time to intervene and hopefully prevent an act of violence from happening.

Hogan, with Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Mike Busch, signed 210 bills into law Thursday during the eighth bill-signing ceremony in the State House, following the conclusion of the 2017 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

In his opening remarks, Hogan mentioned Amber's Law as an important piece of legislation for domestic violence victims. During the bill signing, Hogan turned around and offered his sincerest condolences to Schinault's parents, Angela and Steven Zarcone, before presenting each with a pen. Angela Zarcone said she felt deeply touched by the governor's sentiments.

WBAL-TV\Saliqa Khan

WBAL-TV\Saliqa Khan

Steven and Angela Zarcone show their pens from Gov. Hogan.

"I just thank God for this moment, and being with all these people, who have actually grown to be almost like family. I just think it's great. This law is going to save lives, and we're not going to drop the ball here," Steven Zarcone, said.

Schinault had a protective order against her ex-boyfriend in 2012 when he violated it and killed her. Had there been legislation in place to allow Schinault to implement a GPS tracking device on her offender, she could have been saved, but her death was not in vain.

"A restraining order now means something," Angela Zarcone said. "We did good. All of us together used our energy and we spiraled, with a good force, and we accomplished something for everybody. For future generations, we're going to save lives. Her name goes with it, Amber … when you see (an) Amber (light), caution, things are different."

The legislation was championed over the last few years by Schinault's best friend Jaime Boswell who, with the help bill co-sponsors Del. Aruna Miller and Sen. Susan Lee, were able to push this year's legislation through the session.

"I was happy that everybody was able to come together today so that way we could see how much all of our hard work paid off, working together on this bill," Boswell said.

"I am profoundly grateful to the courage of Amber's parents, Angela and Steve Zarcone, and her best friend, Jamie Boswell, who took their pain and worked tirelessly to change the law and help save the lives of countless other victims of violence," Miller said.

Domestic violence survivor Andrea Prieto was among those who shared her harrowing story and was also a key proponent and supporter of the legislation.

"No. 1, I want to thank God. Everybody involved in this had -- I think each one of us had their own part, and from everyone that emailed, that called, you -- Saliqa -- Jaime. I mean, everybody, everybody played a part," Prieto said.

"I'm just really excited and thankful that a law like this was passed. For me, I was here for my friend Gladys Ubaldo Tordil, who would have benefited from this law. She passed away last year when she was murdered from her husband," lobbyist and supporter Chrissy Vogeley said. "There are so many people who will have great benefits from this law, and hopefully we can save a lot of people's lives."

Tom McAndrew, with Track Group, was instrumental in explaining how vital GPS technology is to protect lives and provide valuable minutes for victims to escape if their offender breaches a safe zone when he testified before lawmakers.

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"(This is a) step in the right direction. I'm proud to be a part of this, to couple our technology with saving lives and your efforts, just a very proud moment for all of us," McAndrew said.

Prince George's County Councilman Mel Franklin, D-District 9, who was a strong advocate for the legislation, released the following statement Thursday:

"I am truly thankful to Gov. Larry Hogan for signing Amber's Law today. Amber Schinault's family, friends and supporters worked tirelessly over the past several years to honor Amber’s memory by creating stronger safeguards against abuse by domestic violence perpetrators. The governor’s support sends a strong bipartisan message to all Marylanders that domestic violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our world. I urge local officials to expeditiously implement this new law so that survivors of domestic violence and the nonprofit providers who support them can utilize this important new tool in the cause of ending domestic violence."

McAndrew said the first step in implementing the law will be to work with the counties. The plan is start with Prince George's and Montgomery counties and expand statewide from there. Amber's Law takes effect on Oct. 1.

But the journey does not end here. Amber's Law is missing key provisions that supporters said they will return next year to Annapolis to help implement -- namely the ability to arrest an offender for violating a condition of pretrial release or probation.

Under existing law, authorities can arrest an offender on site if there is a violation of a protective order because that is a new criminal offense, Sen. Lee's Chief of Staff Michael Lore said.

Lore said some victims do not get protective order because it requires them to avail themselves to a civil process they may not want to. He said under the proposed change for next year, this could all happen under criminal law processes -- violating conditions or maybe just stay-away orders, which is a more realistic goal.

"The plan for next year is we're going to introduce a bill that has the arrest on violation of probation on-site provision that was taken out. We're going to have a standalone bill for that. The House Judiciary did pass that out of committee. It was the Senate committee that decided to take it out, so hopefully, it's maybe going to be a battle in the Senate but really easy in the House. We don't know. We'll see what next year brings," Vogeley said.

Prieto said, "We're going to be back next year strong."

"We're going to keep on fighting, making new additions to this law if we have to. We're going to hold judges accountable if they do not implement this law, especially when victims ask for it," Steven Zarcone said.

If the supporters are indication of the drive to pass Amber's Law, then it's just a sign of what's to come.

Editor's note: Often a silent killer, domestic violence touches so many people. I am no exception. I am a journalist and a domestic violence survivor. I escaped my violent offender with my children more than a decade ago. Having personally faced life-and-death situations, this law meant an incredible personal victory for myself and my loved ones, knowing there is now tangible power behind a protective order in the form of a GPS tracking device. Most people don't know there is a domestic violence issue until it makes the news. When this news came across my desk a few years ago, it only served justice that I be the one to tell the story. Given the honor and permission by Amber Schinault's parents and all those involved in this movement, I am proud to have been able to do so, and I am grateful this law will help positively impact lives. Thank you for reading and sharing Amber's story.